Scottish Gossip: Scottish football's radical shake-up, Bitton going nowhere

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

SPFL bosses have agreed on a radical shake-up of the League Cup that will bring summer football and a winter shutdown to Scottish football next season. (Daily Record)

The new League Cup format will include competitive football in July, group stages and scrapping of extra-time, with drawn matches going straight to penalties. (The Sun)

Scottish clubs will share in a new £8million four-year television deal with BT Sport. (Daily Mail)

Celtic insist Nir Bitton is going nowhere after the player's agent was reported as saying he'll leave in the summer. (Daily Record)

Rangers manager Mark Warburton is believed to head the list of contenders to replace Gary Monk at Swansea. (The Times)

Hibernian boss Alan Stubbs insists his men have got Rangers spooked in the Championship title race and believes they are in their heads. (Daily Record)

Stubbs meanwhile says that he has unfinished business with Hibs, as Reading weigh up a move for the Easter Road boss. (The Sun)

The SPFL have announced radical changes to the League Cup format

Swansea City have bid £200,000 for Falkirk midfielder Ryan Blair. (Daily Star)

Hull City and Scotland midfielder Robert Snodgrass says he's "learned a lot" about himself during 15 months on the sidelines through injury. (The Herald)

Lottery winners Colin and Christine Weir were among the investors who helped Partick Thistle become debt-free, the Premiership club have revealed. (Daily Record)

Paul Lambert believes that Grant Hanley can be a major influence for Scotland after watching him turn in "colossal" performances for Blackburn Rovers. (The Times)

Hibs are lining up a summer swoop for Hamilton goalkeeper Michael McGovern. (The Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP

Gary Anderson won't face the wrath of darts chiefs after revealing in a BBC interview he had deliberately lost a match. (The Sun)

Townsend led Glasgow Warriors to the Pro12 title last season

Scottish Rugby chiefs are pulling out all the stops to secure Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend on a new long-term contract. (Daily Mail)

Warriors supporters should know within the next two weeks whether Townsend is to stay at Scotstoun beyond the end of the season. (The Times)